KINGSVILLE (February 20, 2025) — The Marc Cisneros Center for Young Children (MCCYC) on the campus of 91AV (TAMUK) has been accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs through the Association for Early Learning Leaders. The MCCYC staff has been working diligently for three years to reach this new milestone in childcare.
“During this time, we have implemented several key changes within our center to meet the rigorous standards required for accreditation,” said Dr. Marisol Loredo, Director of the MCCYC. “The process has involved extensive documentation and careful attention to the 10 standards designed to ensure early care and education programs deliver high quality services for children, families and communities.”
Accreditation was awarded Feb. 18 and will be good for four years when they reapply Feb. 18, 2029.
“Achieving national accreditation is an absolute priority built into the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant program here at TAMUK,” said Dr. Maria Martinez, Associate Vice President for Student Access and Initiatives. “The grant is a partnership between the Marc Cisneros Center for Young Children, the College of Education and Human Performance and Student Access.
“I am so very proud of Dr. Loredo and the MCCYC and CCAMPIS teams. It was a rigorous process that started three years ago. This is a great achievement for TAMUK and it will prove impactful for our campus and surrounding communities. It also will allow for potential growth in external funding for the MCCYC so they can expand their academic programs and continue to prepare early childhood teachers for this region as a lab school,” Martinez added.
The MCCYC can care for 54 children from three months to five years old. CCAMPIS is made possible through a United States Department of Education grant aimed at getting parents of small children back in college.
Loredo said both children and their families will notice changes in the future thanks to the accreditation. “Significant changes will be evident to both children and their families at the MCCYC. “Families will be invited to engage more actively in the educational process through various avenues, such as surveys, workshops and volunteer opportunities.
“These initiatives are designed to strengthen communication and foster deeper collaboration between the center and our families,” Loredo said. “Additionally, we have revised and updated our policies and procedures to align with the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) standards ensuring the program’s continued compliance with best practices.
“Furthermore, we are committed to enhancing the qualifications of both full-time and student staff by offering ongoing professional development and specialized training, thereby ensuring the continued support of children’s learning and development,” she added.
In a letter to the center’s parents, the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs, said, “As an accredited center, the Marc Cisneros Center for Young Children is recognized as an early care and education program that exemplifies excellence in the care of young children. The Marc Cisneros Center for Young Children ensures a high quality program for children that is conducive to their individual growth and development, provides professional training opportunities for staff, and demonstrates that the center exceeds minimum state licensing requirements for childcare programs. All parents, staff members, and administrators at Marc Cisneros Center for Young Children are to be congratulated for achieving this level of excellence.”
-TAMUK-
